CE INSTITUTE LLC BLOG

Cleaning and sanitizing equipment and stones for hot stone massage can be achieved in a few easy steps.  Because it does take time to sanitize in-between clients, we recommend scheduling extra time in-between hot stone massage appointments for these sanitation processes.

The warm, moist, dark treatment room setting of a hot stone massage service creates a perfect breeding ground for germs — a category that viruses, along with fungi, protozoa and bacteria, belongs to — so the massage therapist who offers stone massage must know how to sanitize massage stones. As such, stone massage therapists should already be well-versed in sanitation measures.

Massage stones that are composed of black volcanic basalt lava are porous in nature. That makes thoroughly cleaning or disinfecting them quite difficult; in fact, it is impossible to eliminate all viruses and bacteria while cleaning and disinfecting a porous stone.

These basalt stones born out of volcanic eruption and then tumbled in oceans or riverbeds for thousands of years are believed by some to have energetic qualities. It is our job to find a way to safely use these natural marvels without decreasing their healing value.

This includes sanitizing in a manner that does not deplete the stone’s iron-rich metallic properties. The metallic agents within a massage stone are what allow the stones to retain their temperature for longer periods of time more so than the average rock.

Here are 6 steps that recognize the special needs required to clean, disinfect and provide overall care for massage stones:

1. Unplug the stone warmer and remove all contents, including stones, thermometer, slotted spoons and oil bottles from the hot stone bath, to be individually cleaned.

2. The entire stone bath liner should be removed from the stone warmer. Any towels inside the stone liner should be discarded for laundering. After emptying the liner, the liner should be cleaned with soap and water (grease-cutting dish detergent works best and antibacterial hand soap is also an option.)

3. Each stone and implement should be individually washed with soap and water until each item feels clean and is visibly clean. I like to use a scrub brush or toothbrush to ensure a deeper cleaning on my stone massage service items. Cleaning will physically remove debris from a surface and most germs.

4. Newly cleaned stone massage items can either be dried with a towel or allowed to air dry. To restore some of a stone’s energetic properties after sanitizing, you can always lay the stones outside during a full moon or on some green healthy grass during a light rain. This energetical restoration process is usually practiced about once a month, depending on how often you use the stones.

5. For better sanitation effort, add stones and equipment (except for the stone warmer itself) to a disinfectant soak, or spray the stones and equipment with a disinfectant after cleaning. A list of disinfectants and their instructions to combat bacteria/viruses is listed on the EPA’s website.

Disinfectant use will help eliminate a greater number of germs than cleaning alone. Because disinfectants are not designed to remove physical debris from a surface, cleaning must be provided first or else the entire disinfection effort will be less effective, if not useless. Be sure to allow the disinfectant to sit for its prescribed dwell time (also known as contact time) for proper disinfection.

6. When starting a new hot stone massage service, the hot bath liner should be reinserted into the hot stone warmer and a fresh, clean towel should be placed inside the liner before adding clean water. I recommend adding five or more drops of tea tree essential oil to each stone massage bath for its antimicrobial properties; however, there is little scientific research to support this sanitary use.

In this video below, we will these review steps, and some additional efforts you could make during a pandemic as well..

For professional hot stone massage training, please visit and register at: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/hot-stone 

 #sanitation #cleaning #hotstonemassage #bodywork #massage #massagetherapist #lmt #massagetherapy #stonemassage #bodywork #bodyworker

Aromatherapy uses a combination of art and science to blend therapeutic concoctions with natural essential oils. In these times of coronavirus (COVID-19), the expertise to make your own hand sanitizer, air deodorizers, cleaning supplies and antimicrobial massage agents through aromatherapy is a valuable skill. Aromatherapy practice allows a creative opportunity for any business with the added bonus of being able to make crucial products that are not always readily available for purchase during times of high demand.

Chemical Properties in Essential Oils
The theory behind aromatherapy practice is that the natural chemical properties that are found within a plant are the same natural chemical properties that will be found in that plant’s essential oil. Plants have many natural chemical properties within them to help pollinate, recreate and protect their natural survival from fungus, bacteria, insects and other environmental issues.

Essential oils are usually extracted via steam distillation from flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, tree bark and other plant-based organic material. Bottling up these natural protective plant properties with essential oil production is a magnificent use of nature itself.

Massage therapists can incorporate aromatherapy to create antimicrobial business-use products. (Antimicrobial is defined an agent that can kill or slow the spread of microorganisms which include bacteria, viruses, protozoans, and fungi.) Tea tree, eucalyptus and rosemary are some of the most popular essential oils known for their antimicrobial properties.

Some essential oils have better scientific research to prove their efficacy than others. It is up to every practicing therapist who chooses to use aromatherapy to research each individual manufacturer’s essential oil for its various uses and practices.

Today’s current working theory of COVID-19 infection is that human respiratory aerosol and respiratory droplets can be spread through person-to-person contact, and this coronavirus can also linger in the air and on surfaces for unknown periods of time.

As such, it is up to us to create additional methods (such as the use of aromatherapy) to sanitize our work environment to help protect ourselves and others from harmful bacteria, virus and other germs. Keep in mind when using essential oils that some clients may have allergies or irritable responses to certain plants or aromas. Someone could have a negative reaction even when a product is derived from nature.

Antimicrobial Product Recipes
Here are some ways to promote antimicrobial sanitation in a massage therapy practice with aromatherapy via essential oils:

Hand sanitizer: Thoroughly mix one-third cup aloe vera gel with two-thirds cup rubbing alcohol and five to 15 drops of tea tree oil until well blended. Hands should be immersed with sanitizer solution, rubbed and remain wet for at least 20 seconds for efficacy.

Antimicrobial massage agents: Mix two to three drops of eucalyptus or rosemary essential oil with two-plus ounces of unscented massage cream, gel or oil for a single client’s use. High concentrations of any essential oil can be irritating to human skin, so it is recommended to place a drop of this concoction on the client’s inside wrist and wait a few minutes for a possible reaction before spreading the mixture onto the client’s body. Immediately discontinue use with any signs of redness or skin irritation, whether experienced by the client or the therapist.

Air deodorizer: Mix eight ounces of distilled water, 1 teaspoon baking soda with five drops of lavender essential oil and five drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a spritz or misting bottle. Spray mist into the air on the highest mist dispersion setting possible to allow the deodorizer to linger in the air for the maximum time possible.

Cleaning supplies: Various antimicrobial essential oils can be added to distilled water, alcohol, vinegar, castile soap and other formulas in a variety of mixtures and concentrations. You can find an endless amount of aromatherapy essential oil cleaning formula recipes through a basic internet search. These formula mixtures can be poured into a spray bottle for cleaning. You can also create cleaning wipes by depositing your formula mixture into a gallon-size plastic Ziplock bag with napkins or paper towels.

When concocting your own aromatherapy products, each therapist must decide how much essential oil should be added. We have provided specific quantities of how much essential oil to use in these recipes; however, some may prefer a stronger or different aroma while others will not. Selecting essential oils plus the quantity that is used in each recipe is always a personal choice. However, a therapist should factor in manufacturer recommendations, science or research studies to determine how much essential oil is required when attempting to create an antimicrobial product.

There are many other uses for aromatherapy in a massage therapy or spa business to promote an antimicrobial environment. This includes the use of ambient bowls, room atomizers or diffusers, homemade soaps and carpet deodorizers—the possibilities are vast. You will find many more therapeutic uses and options if you choose to study aromatherapy and invest in essential oils. A National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork-approved aromatherapy CE class lab is a great way to start learning more by mixing your own formulations.

Essential Oils’ Limitations
Now, you may ask yourself, why don’t we make these easy-to-create, natural products all the time? That answer gets complicated, because essential oils, manufacturers, manufacturing processes, harvesting, extracting and other effects are inconsistent and sometimes unreliable.

Even the region or pH of the soil where a plant is grown can have a different natural chemical property from one year to the next, based upon the amount of fertilizers, acidic rainfall or drought for that year. And do not forget, aromatherapy is based upon the plant’s natural chemical properties. One year a plant could have satisfactory antimicrobial properties and the next year it could have less than satisfactory antimicrobial properties, which can be affected by human manufacturing processes and other factors .

Because essential oils can be inconsistent from year to year and brand to brand, their generic use is not always reliable for their intended purposes. As such, it is important to use proven products for sanitation and other safety measures whenever available.

However, due to today’s consistent sanitation supply shortages, the practice of aromatherapy is an acceptable backup option when regular sanitation supplies are not available. And in some perfect circumstances, these types of self-made aromatherapy products could be as good as, or better than ordinary store-bought items themselves.

It is always good business to have extra sanitation measures available, especially during a pandemic. To that end, consider adding antimicrobial aromatherapy practices, when necessary, to your existing sanitation habits to help protect yourself and others from contagious microbial agents.

For comprehensive aromatherapy training, please visit and register at: https://ceinstitute.com/collections/aromatherapy

To review this MTS ASK: WHAT ROLE MIGHT ESSENTIAL OILS PLAY IN SUPPLEMENTAL SANITIZATION article in greater details please visit Massage Magazine at: https://www.massagemag.com/mts-ask-what-role-might-essential-oils-play-in-supplemental-sanitization-128808/

Below, we review this article in detail on video for your convenience:

#aromatherapy #sanitation #essentialoil #cleaning #sanitizing #disinfectant #disinfecting #cleaningsupplies #sanitationsupplies #massage #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #bodyworker

Contact time, also known as dwell time, must be observed to achieve proper sanitation and disinfection. We'll review several different types of disinfectants in this video and how to exercise proper contact times with the various products. This quick, 11-minute video, will also review the differences between cleaning, disinfection and sanitation practices.

For more comprehensive education, please visit and register at for training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

Are You Cleaning, Disinfecting, or Sanitizing?
What is the difference between cleaning, disinfecting and sanitizing? The CDC’s report, “Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility,” states:

Cleaning: Physically removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects by washing with soap or detergent and water and rinsing or wiping them away.

Disinfecting: Generally uses chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. Surfaces or objects must be cleaned prior to applying a disinfectant for efficacy. Disinfectants do not work properly through the physical debris that must first be removed during cleaning.

Sanitizing: Lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects by either cleaning or disinfecting to lower the risk of infection.

Contact time, also known as dwell time, for disinfectants, is the amount of time a surface should remain wet to achieve a sanitization product’s desired result. Disinfection is less effective when proper contact times are not observed. Contact times also require a proper amount of disinfectant, which is just as important as the contact time itself.

For example, some products advertise that they kill 99.9% of germs; however, to kill those 99.9% of germs there is usually a contact time where the surface area must remain wet with the disinfectant.

A contact time, on average, can last between 30 seconds to 10 minutes—or more. The Environmental Protection Agency notes: “If you are using an EPA-registered disinfectant, the product label will contain the dilution and contact-time information along with other critical safety information.”

Sanitizing is less effective when proper contact times are not observed. Contact times also require that a proper amount of sanitizing product is applied, which is just as important as the contact time itself. Here are some examples of products you might be using where contact times should be practiced and adhered to:

Disinfecting Wipes: Some of the most popular household wipes (including those made by Lysol and Clorox) recommend that the surface being disinfected must remain wet for four minutes after being wiped. Disinfectant wipes are perfect to wipe down your massage therapy table, face cradle (including its handles), table leg knobs, door handles or any other hard surface in your massage therapy practice room.

Disinfecting Sprays: In addition to contact time, sprays may have further directions, such as distance to spray a surface to sanitize it. Lysol recommends spraying for three to four seconds within 6 to 8 inches of the surface being sanitized and a contact time of three minutes where the surface must remain wet.

Bleach Solution Soak: When one-third cup of household bleach is mixed with 1 gallon of water, objects should usually be immersed for not less than 60 seconds and not more than 10 minutes, depending on what is being disinfected.

Hand Sanitizer: Hands should remain wet with a hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds after application. Contact time language is usually not used with hand sanitizer, but I feel it’s appropriate because many will not wet their entire hands with hand sanitizer—nor keep them wet for at least 20 seconds with plentiful product. Our sparing use of sanitizing agents today is mostly born from the appalling shortage of sanitizing agents available during this pandemic, which has not been helpful in preventing the spread of germs.

If You Don’t Use Contact Time, Are You Really Sanitizing?
The four sanitizing products and practices listed above have contact times that range from 20 seconds up to 10 minutes, where the surface areas or objects being sanitized must remain wet. Proper sanitation is regularly not achieved if a product’s contact time is not provided.

Some massage therapists will spray or wipe a surface area with a sanitation product and then wipe it dry without allowing for contact time. Are you one of them? This is one of today’s most widespread and improper uses of a sanitizing product. It is important to not rush the sanitization process and instead adhere to proper contact times, or else the entire effort could be an expensive waste of time and leave you exposed to a dirty or infected workspace.

Hard surfaces versus porous objects can have different contact times. Different kinds of sanitizing agents, as well as different sanitation-product manufacturers, could have contrasting instructions.

It is extremely important to follow each product’s individual instructions to keep yourself and your clients safe and healthy, especially during this viral age of COVID-19. It only takes a few seconds to read and practice these various uses, but those few seconds could make the difference of properly sanitizing your business—or leaving it exposed to germs. 

#sanitation #disinfection #cleaning #contacttime #dwelltime #massage #massagetherapy #massagetherapist #spa #cosmetology #esthetics

Did you know that you could use select essential oils to make your own sanitation products? CE Institute LLC founder Selena Belisle explains in this aromatherapy article published by MASSAGE MAGAZINE!

SANITATION: Proper sanitation in a massage establishment or treatment room requires two basic but specific steps. Most do not follow proper sanitation techniques, making the entire sanitation process less effective or useless.

1 The first step to sanitize your treatment room is cleaning. Cleaning entails using soap and water to physically dislodge germs by washing and then wiping them away or rinsing them down the drain. Most cleaned objects or surfaces can either be dried with a fresh, clean towel or allowed to air dry. Cleaning physically removes dirt and other organic material or debris.

2 The second step to sanitize your treatment room is disinfection. Disinfection regularly entails using chemicals to kill or eliminate germs, and includes chemical wipes, sprays, or soaks with brands such as Lysol or Clorox. Disinfection will not remove dirt or other organic material, so cleaning must be performed before disinfection. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s directions on how to use your disinfectant. These directions will usually include an exact amount of contact time, also known as dwell time. That means the surface or object being disinfected will require a specific amount of contact time where the area must remain wet with disinfectant to be effective.

You can also use equipment such as a UV sanitizer or autoclave to sanitize smaller spa items. Be sure to read the equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Spa items that can be properly used in a UV sanitizer or autoclave are usually metal in nature. Porous spa items such as a facial sponge or brush cannot be safely and effectively sanitized no matter what process is used, as it will likely compromise or destroy the porous object during the process.

Do not forget about proper handwashing between each client. It is good business during the pandemic to request each client to sanitize their hands upon entering your establishment. Because we cannot eliminate all germs with hand sanitizing or washing, we should sanitize all surfaces that are touched after each client’s use. This specifically includes sanitizing door handles, light switches, equipment knobs, lid covers, chairs or stools and so forth – anything that you or your client comes in contact with should be sanitized between each client.

AIR QUALITY
Many scientists and government agencies are now acknowledging that COVID-19 may remain airborne and travel further than initially thought.

As such, we should practice good air supply and filtration practices at the spa to help protect ourselves against COVID-19. Improving air quality in the spa includes:

1 Practice outdoors, on a balcony, or even a rooftop whenever possible. Just ensure there are adequate privacy and protection measures from sunburn.

2 When applicable, open doors or windows to your spa treatment room to allow a more generous amount of air exchange. Increasing the amount of incoming air will help dilute lingering airborne germs, including COVID-19.

3 Consider changing your work area if you provide spa services in a small, poorly ventilated treatment room. Use the largest and best-ventilated rooms available. If you have a landlord or employer, ask them if they have any solutions to place you in an improved air quality operating space during the pandemic.

4 Position equipment such as fans, air vents, and facial steamers in the back of the top of the table (behind the client’s head) to allow this forced air to blow away from you and your client, towards any open windows and doors. Move your spa table as needed to allow this airflow.

5 Be sure that all air filters in the workplace are clean and changed regularly. Keep all air filtration systems (i.e., HVAC) properly serviced and running. Remove all material or debris away from air vents/fans for the best possible air exchange.

6 If you have a window air conditioning unit, leave the air vent open.

7 Consider adding a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter or two next to your spa service area. HEPA filters can suction some airborne germs away from the service, and it will also help purify the air.

8 Consider consulting an air quality control organization such as ASHRAE (formerly known as American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers) for advice for your establishment.

EXPOSURE
Reducing the amount of time a client spends in the spa and the number of potentially contaminated surfaces will help minimize your exposure to COVID-19. Tips to reduce your exposure include:

1 Completing client intake forms via email, phone, or a secured website instead of at the office. You can similarly create a social distancing payment method, and so forth.

2 Requesting your client not to wear jewelry, which will decrease the amount of time your client spends dressing and undressing at the spa.

3 Having your client wait in their car until you have properly sanitized the spa for their service. You can call or text them to let them know you are ready for them to enter and begin service.

4 Wearing a face covering, whether inside or outdoors. Consider adding a face shield for increased protection. Facial services that include anything that puts you in close personal contact with the client’s airway are not recommended during the pandemic. If you must provide facial service, direct the airflow to move air away from you and the facial service area.

If you provide a body scrub, wrap, waxing, or any other spa service with the client lying down on a spa table, try to provide most of your spa service in the prone (face-down) position. Minimizing your exposure to the client’s airway is the goal. If a client has a gift certificate to your spa and wants to redeem it before the end of the pandemic, then recommend services with the least amount of personal contact time. These include bathtub spa soaks, aromatherapy showers, and services provided in the prone position on a spa table.

Consider each item in your spa workspace and eliminate anything nonessential to reduce the amount of potentially contaminated surfaces. This includes trashing old magazines and moving lesser-used items into a sealed drawer or closet. For example, you can place your entire facial steamer/loop lamp, an entire waxing cart, and all other spa equipment in a closet or unused room when providing spa service that does not require it. Keep items such as clean and dirty linens in separate airtight containers. Dispose of garbage in a self-closing metal trash can.

You should treat your workplace establishment as if every single client is contagious with COVID-19. That means if you must work, you should minimize your exposure, thoroughly sanitize between each client, and work in a manner that will improve your air quality. While the best way to avoid COVID-19 acquisition or transmission is to self-isolate from others, addressing these three factors thoughtfully and thoroughly may help minimize your risk in the spa during the pandemic.

To learn more, please register for training at https://ceinstitute.com/

You can view this detailed information and more on latest Safety Tips for massage therapy and spa practice during COVID-19 video on youtube: 

We'd like to applaud FSMTB for being one of the first massage agencies to publish COVID-19 considerations for massage therapists and bodyworkers.  Please click HERE to view their incredible 45 page manual which was put together almost a year ago from now - and is still relevant! 

To learn more advanced massage practices, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

https://www.fsmtb.org/media/2319/fsmtb20200519guidelinesforpracticecovid-19.pdf?fbclid=IwAR31Jbq2ZcJyussuFl_SB_foImxKmIDfkzd1nf57LDIqru1UqGBn9f69kMQ

Spa and massage establishments have had to modify their businesses during COVID-19. Updated sanitation practices incorporate how to keep staff and clients safe from contaminated objects and surfaces within the establishment. We know that COVID-19 is mainly spread through respiratory droplets. A spa or massage table has two individuals, the client and practitioner, directly breathing over the table for extended periods. As such, these tables should be thoroughly sanitized between users.

Here are some easy and clear steps to treatment table sanitation:

1. Remove all reusable items from the table that cannot be laundered or sanitized between clients and do not use them during the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e., table skirts or heating pads.

2. Open any available windows or doors and engage any air filtration or ventilation sources before sanitation if they are not already in use. All available air ventilation and filtration sources should already be in use during the COVID-19 pandemic regardless of when sanitation is practiced.

3. Wear a facial covering and gloves to remove all laundry used for the spa or massage service and place items in a sealed container for laundering. This includes blankets, sheets, covers, and towels.

• It is critical to wear a facial covering and gloves while handling anything that has had extended direct contact with a client’s airway during the pandemic and protect yourself from repeated chemical exposure to commercial sanitizers.

4. When laundering items before redressing the table, be sure to use the hot water setting on the washer and the high heat setting on the dryer, plus ensure that all laundry is thoroughly dried after washing with detergent. One of the best ways to reduce bacteria and viruses from the laundry is through high heat temperatures.

• Wash hands before handling clean laundry or redressing the table.

• Use a laundry machine’s sanitize setting if it is available.

• Adding bleach to the wash cycle can help eliminate germs if the laundry can be bleached.

5. Once the laundry is removed from the table, wash the table and all table accessory surfaces with soap and water, then rinse and dry as needed. The goal is to ensure there is not any debris on a surface prior to disinfection. Disinfection is ineffective on a dirty surface; therefore, washing is first required. Provide extra attention to any surface where a client has directly breathed, sneezed, or coughed. That means if a client was in a prone position on the table, be thorough with any bars and handles of a face cradle, face cushion, and top of the table.

• If the table has a hole for a client’s head instead of a separate face cradle, then be sure to wash and thoroughly disinfect all surfaces inside, underneath, and around the face hole.

6. Apply a disinfectant to all table surfaces, legs, knobs, pegs, handles, bolsters, and any remote controls used for table adjustments after cleaning. Do the same for the face cradle, face cushion and any accessories in between. Keep all sanitizer items in a childproof sealed container before and after use. Only use sealed trash receptacles for sanitation trash.

7. Allow proper contact time for the disinfectant to work before redressing the table or table accessories. Mos disinfectants require several minutes of contact time (also known as dwell time) for efficacy. Read and follow the manufacturer’s labeled instructions on a disinfectant.

8. If face cushions with a face cradle are in use, consider using at least two separate face cradles and cushions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Practitioners can alternate face cradles and cushions with every new client to help minimize exposure.

The best way to prevent the acquisition or transmission of COVID-19 is to self-isolate. If you must work during the pandemic, consider utilizing additional protection measures such as a client health intake form, including specific COVID-19 screening.

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques, Inc. has published this info and more in CE Institute LLC Founder Selena Belisle's article:  Treatment Table Sanitation.  

Massage Magazine has published CE Institute LLC Founder & Instructor Selena Belisle's article of how to sanitize a massage table and table equipment during COVID-19 (screenshot of the article below).

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/

Massage therapists, spa and bodyworkers have stepped up their sanitation habits in our new pandemic of COVID-19; however, there is one additional step that can be taken in addition to sanitizing a treatment table.

If you must work during COVID-19, it is best to work on clients in a prone position/face down to avoid direct airway-to-airway exchange.  And for best sanitation practices, it would be wise to sanitize the face cradle cushion then allow it to sit with a proper amount dwell time, aka contact time, by using a 2nd cushion for your next client.  Swapping 2 cushions back and forth is a little extra effort and expense, but could additionally minimize COVID-19 exposure, especially when proper sanitation and safety measures are exercised. 

To learn more, please register for quality, affordable, professional training at: https://ceinstitute.com/